Tag:

Letitia James

NYers' Views On Transgender Athletes, Other Hot Button Issues Revealed In Fresh Polling NYers' Views On Transgender Athletes, Other Hot Button Issues Revealed In Fresh Polling
NYers' Views On Transgender Athletes, Other Hot Button Issues Revealed In Fresh Polling In an age where Democrats and Republicans can't seem to agree on anything, fresh polling shows New Yorkers on both sides of the aisle still have some common ground on a few hot button issues. Strong bipartisan majorities support safeguarding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and enhancing protections for the LGBTQ community, a Siena College poll released Monday, April 22, showed. Specifically, 80 percent of Democrats, 70 percent of Republicans, and 72 percent of independents favored safeguarding access to IVF for all Americans, the poll found. Related Report: 'Blatantly Illegal…
NY AG Releases Body-Cam Video Of State Police Deadly Shooting In Ramapo NY AG Releases Body-Cam Video Of State Police Deadly Shooting In Ramapo
NY AG Releases Body-Cam Video Of State Police Deadly Shooting In Ramapo New York Attorney General Letitia James has released police body-worn camera footage of the shooting death of a motorist by New York State Police in the Hudson Valley in January.  The incident occurred in Rockland County on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 3 in Ramapo. According to the AG's Office, troopers Steven Missale and Ronald Raymond pulled over a car on the New York State Thruway based on a report about an incident that had taken place earlier the same day in Albany.  Rakim Tillery, age 35, address unknown, was the driver of the car. Tillery fired a gun at the troopers, …
NY AG Begins Process To Seize Trump’s Bedford Estate, Briarcliff Manor Golf Course: Report NY AG Begins Process To Seize Trump’s Bedford Estate, Briarcliff Manor Golf Course: Report
NY AG Begins Process To Seize Trump’s Bedford Estate, Briarcliff Manor Golf Course: Report New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken the first step toward seizing former President Donald Trump’s golf course and private estate, CNN reports. Lawyers from James’ office registered New York’s $454 million civil judgment against Trump In Westchester County Court on Wednesday, March 6, the outlet reports. A Manhattan judge ordered Trump to pay the massive penalty after he, his adult sons, and the Trump Organization were found liable for using “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” to inflate his net worth to get better loan terms. The reported move by the AG’s office wo…
Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner Visits Nassau County In Support Of Trans Athletes Ban Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner Visits Nassau County In Support Of Trans Athletes Ban
Former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner Visits Nassau County In Support Of Trans Athletes Ban Caitlyn Jenner, a former Olympian and media personality, paid a visit to Long Island to publicly back a recent executive order banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports. On Monday, March 18, the former Olympian, who came out as a trans woman in 2015, held a press conference alongside Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in support of his polarizing transgender athlete ban. The executive order, which went into effect on Thursday, Feb. 22, prohibits the Nassau County Parks & Recreation Department from issuing permits to female teams that include transgender women, …
Long Island Roller Derby Team, NYCLU Sue Nassau County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban Long Island Roller Derby Team, NYCLU Sue Nassau County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban
Long Island Roller Derby Team, Nyclu Sue Nassau County Executive Over Trans Athlete Ban Long Island’s first flat-track roller derby league, alongside the New York Civil Liberties Union, has filed a lawsuit against a ban on transgender women participating in women’s sports. “We’re ready for the courts to relegate this harmful, transphobic policy to the dustbin of history, where it belongs.” On Monday, March 11, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), partnered with its plaintiff, the Long Island Roller Rebels, announced that it had filed a lawsuit against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in response to his February executive order banning transgender women from parti…
9 Get Prison Time For Stealing Vehicles In Yonkers As Part Of Car Theft Ring 9 Get Prison Time For Stealing Vehicles In Yonkers As Part Of Car Theft Ring
9 Get Prison Time For Stealing Vehicles In Yonkers As Part Of Car Theft Ring Nine members of a car theft ring have been sentenced after stealing 45 vehicles from Westchester and New York City during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced.  The nine defendants were sentenced to prison in connection with a car theft ring that operated over six months in 2020 and targeted vehicles in New York City and Westchester, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Monday, March 11.  According to James's office, the nine sentencings were the result of a two-year investigation into the scheme that began in September 2019 and eventual…
Avoid Scams: These Are Top 10 Consumer Frauds Of 2023, NY AG Says Avoid Scams: These Are Top 10 Consumer Frauds Of 2023, NY AG Says
Avoid Scams: These Are Top 10 Consumer Frauds Of 2023, NY AG Says To honor National Consumer Protection Week, New York Attorney General Letitia James has revealed the most common fraud complaints faced by residents during 2023.  In an announcement on Monday, March 4, James said that these common complaints ranged from price gouging of much-needed goods and services to housing issues, online banking fraud, and even travel-related issues.  The top ten most common consumer complaints of 2023 in New York were:  Retail Sales: (Online purchases, price gouging, retail sales, defective merchandise, poor customer service, pet stores, animal breede…
World’s Largest Beef Producer 'Greenwashed' Environmental Harms To Boost Sales, NY AG Says World’s Largest Beef Producer 'Greenwashed' Environmental Harms To Boost Sales, NY AG Says
World’s Largest Beef Producer 'Greenwashed' Environmental Harms To Boost Sales, NY AG Says New York State is suing the world’s largest beef producer, claiming it lied about its environmental impacts in order to boost sales. A lawsuit filed by Attorney General Letitia James in New York State Supreme Court on Wednesday, Feb. 28, accuses JBS USA Food Company of deceptive business practices and false advertising. According to James’ office, the company has repeatedly misled the public by claiming it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, despite documented plans to increase production and grow its carbon footprint. In 2021, the JBS Group reported total global greenh…
'Blatantly Illegal': NYAG Submits Cease-And-Desist Over Nassau County Transgender Athlete Ban 'Blatantly Illegal': NYAG Submits Cease-And-Desist Over Nassau County Transgender Athlete Ban
'Blatantly Illegal': Nyag Submits Cease-And-Desist Over Nassau County Transgender Athlete Ban An executive order on Long Island banning transgender women and girls from participating in sports at public facilities was given five days to be rescinded, according to New York State Attorney General Letitia James. “This executive order is transphobic and blatantly illegal.” On Friday, March 1, just over a week after Nassau County Bruce Blakeman issued an executive order prohibiting transgender women (those assigned male at birth) from playing in women’s sports, James — who had quickly condemned the act — officially submitted a cease-and-desist against the order. Original Report:&nbs…
NY Attorney General Condemns Nassau County's Transgender Athlete Ban NY Attorney General Condemns Nassau County's Transgender Athlete Ban
NY Attorney General Condemns Nassau County's Transgender Athlete Ban Hours after a county executive on Long Island announced an order prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, the New York State Attorney General publicly denounced the motion. On Thursday, Feb. 22, just hours after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed his executive order, Attorney General Letitia James announced that her office would look into the next steps to protect transgender athletes from the ban, which she called “dangerous.” Earlier Report: Nassau County Bans Transgender Athletes From Competing In Women's, Girls Sports “This executive order …
Dutchess County Guns, Drugs Trafficking Networks Busted, 7 Arrested, AG Says Dutchess County Guns, Drugs Trafficking Networks Busted, 7 Arrested, AG Says
Dutchess County Guns, Drugs Trafficking Networks Busted, 7 Arrested, AG Says Large gun trafficking and narcotics networks were busted and seven suspects were arrested during raids in the region. The networks and suspects were operating out of Dutchess County, mostly in the Poughkeepsie area, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James. The arrests were made on Wednesday, Feb. 14 throughout Dutchess County. According to James, the gun trafficking network sold ghost guns and assault-style rifles and the narcotics trafficking network distributed counterfeit oxycodone pills containing deadly amounts of fentanyl in Dutchess County.  The takedowns recovere…
Real Estate Broker's Companies Denied Housing To Low-Income Renters In New Rochelle: AG Real Estate Broker's Companies Denied Housing To Low-Income Renters In New Rochelle: AG
Real Estate Broker's Companies Denied Housing To Low-Income Renters In New Rochelle: AG New York Attorney General Letitia James is taking action against a real estate broker and his companies after they were found to have denied housing to low-income renters in Westchester, officials announced.  In an announcement on Monday, Feb. 5, James and her office said that they had reached an agreement with real estate broker Pasquale Marciano and his companies, Century 21 Marciano, Anthony Marciano Real Estate Inc., and New Roc Property Management, to stop them from enforcing illegal policies that denied housing opportunities to low-income renters. According to James's office, rea…
Sergeant From Mahopac Charged After Throwing Cooler, Killing Suspect: NY AG Sergeant From Mahopac Charged After Throwing Cooler, Killing Suspect: NY AG
Sergeant From Mahopac Charged After Throwing Cooler, Killing Suspect: NY AG A police sergeant from the Hudson Valley faces manslaughter charges after throwing a cooler at a suspect while the person was driving a motorized scooter, causing their death, officials announced.  Putnam County resident Erik Duran of Mahopac, age 36, a New York City Police Department sergeant, was indicted and arraigned on charges in connection with the August 2023 death of Eric Duprey, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23.  According to James's office, around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, members of the NYPD's Narcotics Boroug…
NJ Attorney, Son Charged With Ripping Off Hundreds Of Immigrants In Bronx NJ Attorney, Son Charged With Ripping Off Hundreds Of Immigrants In Bronx
NJ Attorney, Son Charged With Ripping Off Hundreds Of Immigrants In Bronx Homeland Security agents smashed an operation run by a New Jersey father and son who for years fooled hundreds of immigrants living in the Bronx into paying thousands of dollars for services that only got many of them deported, authorities said. Instead of legitimately fast-tracking their clients’ bids for legal U.S. residency, attorney Kofi Amankwaa and his son, Kofi Jr., filed false petitions to the federal government claiming that the immigrants’ children had abused them, authorities said. All this did, they said, was put the applicants on immigration officials’ radar, leading to green c…
NY AG James Sues SiriusXM For 'Trapping' Customers In Subscriptions, Making Cancellation Hard NY AG James Sues SiriusXM For 'Trapping' Customers In Subscriptions, Making Cancellation Hard
NY AG James Sues SiriusXM For 'Trapping' Customers In Subscriptions, Making Cancellation Hard New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing SiriusXM Radio for deliberately making it hard for customers to cancel subscriptions by dragging out the interactions required to do so, her office announced.  James announced her lawsuit against the New York City-headquartered company on Wednesday, Dec. 20 following an investigation conducted by her office that found SiriusXM makes it "extremely difficult and frustrating" for customers to cancel their subscriptions, officials said.  "Having to endure a lengthy and frustrating process to cancel a subscription is a stressfu…
Rockland County Dealer Nabbed With Kilo Of Fentanyl, AG Says Rockland County Dealer Nabbed With Kilo Of Fentanyl, AG Says
Rockland County Dealer Nabbed With Kilo Of Fentanyl, AG Says A New York man has been charged with allegedly selling drugs and guns in the Hudson Valley and region in a 94-count indictment. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday, Dec. 6, Rafael Figueroa, age unknown, of Manhattan was indicted for the sale of fentanyl, heroin, and firearms.  The investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force seized more than 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl and over 75 grams of heroin worth $142,000, three loaded handguns, a loaded assault rifle, and three high-capacity ammunition feeding devices. “Drug an…
NY AG James Sues Purchase-Headquartered PepsiCo For Contributing To Plastic Pollution NY AG James Sues Purchase-Headquartered PepsiCo For Contributing To Plastic Pollution
NY AG James Sues Purchase-Headquartered PepsiCo For Contributing To Plastic Pollution New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing Westchester County-headquartered PepsiCo and accusing the soda company of significantly contributing to plastic pollution in the state.  The lawsuit, which alleges PepsiCo Inc. harms both the public and the environment with its products' single-use plastic packaging, was filed and announced by James on Wednesday, Nov. 15.  According to the lawsuit, the company, which has its global headquarters in Purchase at 700 Anderson Hill Rd., "contributes significantly" to high levels of plastic pollution along the Buffalo River, contaminating…
Uber, Lyft To Pay Historic $328M Settlement For 'Cheating' NY Drivers Out Of Wages, Benefits Uber, Lyft To Pay Historic $328M Settlement For 'Cheating' NY Drivers Out Of Wages, Benefits
Uber, Lyft To Pay Historic $328M Settlement For 'Cheating' NY Drivers Out Of Wages, Benefits In a major victory for rideshare drivers, Uber and Lyft have agreed to a historic, multi-million dollar settlement after wrongly withholding wages from New York drivers. The companies will pay a combined $328 million in backpay to thousands of current and former drivers as part of twin settlements announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday, Nov. 2. It comes after an investigation found that Uber and Lyft withheld hundreds of millions of dollars from drivers and kept them from receiving benefits available under New York labor laws, according to James. Specifically, Ub…
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns As New Yorkers across the state report being contacted by scammers impersonating their banks, officials are cautioning consumers to keep their eyes peeled. In a statement on Friday, Oct. 27, NY Attorney General Letitia James provided tips to avoid getting scammed by callers pretending to be bank or government officials. “Scammers claiming to be a trusted bank, or any institution relied on for financial services, can seriously harm New Yorkers by taking their money and their personal information,” she said. James said the Office of the Attorney General has been receiving calls from New Y…
NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable' NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable'
NY AG James Joins Lawsuit Against Meta With 32 Other States: 'They Must Be Held Accountable' New York Attorney General Letitia James and a group of attorneys general from 32 other states have filed a federal lawsuit against Meta for contributing to a mental health crisis among young people, officials announced. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that the social media company knowingly designed and implemented features on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms that purposefully take advantage of children and teens, James' office announced on Tuesday, Oct. 24.  Additionally, the lawsuit also charges Meta with collecting…
NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel
NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent a series of letters to several social media companies urging them to take action and remove hateful content posted in response to the violence taking place in Israel.  The letters, announced by the Attorney General's Office on Friday, Oct. 13, all request that each company provide thorough explanations of how they are stopping the spread of hateful content that encourages violence against Jewish and Muslim people or institutions in the aftermath of violent attacks committed against Israel by the Hamas militant group.  Jame…
Disinformation Spreads On LI Amid Israel-Hamas War, Calls For Social Media Change In NY Disinformation Spreads On LI Amid Israel-Hamas War, Calls For Social Media Change In NY
Disinformation Spreads On LI Amid Israel-Hamas War, Calls For Social Media Change In NY While communities grieve and New York officials call for social media companies to tamp down on hateful content, false information about the Israel-Hamas war has spread at a rapid pace — even at home on Long Island. It started with a simple post on X (formerly known as Twitter) by CBS New York reporter Tim McNicholas on Wednesday, Oct. 11. McNicholas, an investigative journalist who has worked in the industry for years, posted a video showing that his car was stuck on the Cross Bronx Expressway near Throgs Neck thanks to a driver who “decided it was time to do some donuts,” as he put it. …
Real Estate Company Denied Housing To Low-Income Renters In New Rochelle: AG Real Estate Company Denied Housing To Low-Income Renters In New Rochelle: AG
Real Estate Company Denied Housing To Low-Income Renters In New Rochelle: AG A Westchester-based real estate company will pay $105,000 in damages after denying housing to low-income renters and violating federal, state, and local laws in the process, officials announced.  New Rochelle-based Platzner International Group, owned by Merrick and Harrin Platzner, has entered into an agreement with the New York Attorney General's Office after denying housing to low-income residents in Westchester, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday, Oct. 10.  According to the Attorney General's Office, the real estate firm, which owns over 200 residential units i…
Storm Price Gouging: Consumers Warned To Watch For Rising Expenses In NY Amid Massive Rainstorm Storm Price Gouging: Consumers Warned To Watch For Rising Expenses In NY Amid Massive Rainstorm
Storm Price Gouging: Consumers Warned To Watch For Rising Expenses In NY Amid Massive Rainstorm Officials are urging New Yorkers to keep an eye out for stores and services that may be using the rainstorm to charge extra for essential goods. On Friday, Sept. 29, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning to consumers against price gouging amidst the ongoing state of emergency caused by rainstorms and flooding across Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New York City. Related: State Of Emergency: 'Extreme Weather Event' Threatening Areas In NY, Hochul Says Price gauging can affect anything from essential goods — such as food, gas, and batteries — to services like …
$23K In Fines Issued To Spring Valley Landlord Housing Migrants, Officials Say $23K In Fines Issued To Spring Valley Landlord Housing Migrants, Officials Say
$23K In Fines Issued To Spring Valley Landlord Housing Migrants, Officials Say Hudson Valley government officials are calling for an investigation after a large number of migrants were found living in what is supposed to be a three-bedroom home. An inspection by the Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes is issuing a $23,000 fine to Schloima Koppel, the same landlord housing 31 people in a New City single-family property, resulting from 32 violations found at Koppel’s Spring Valley rental at 8 W. Funston Street, said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. The inspection uncovered eight bedrooms and 16 beds, in what should be a three-bedroom home, Day said. Day said…
New Update: Officers Involved In Fatal Southeast Shooting Get No Charges, AG Says New Update: Officers Involved In Fatal Southeast Shooting Get No Charges, AG Says
New Update: Officers Involved In Fatal Southeast Shooting Get No Charges, AG Says Two officers who fatally shot a man in the Hudson Valley while he was stabbing a woman have been cleared of any criminal charges by the New York Attorney General's Office.  On Friday, Sept. 15, New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation announced that no charges would be filed in the January 2023 fatal officer-involved shooting of 34-year-old Christopher Torres in the Putnam County town of Southeast.  Earlier Report - NY AG To Probe Officer-Involved Fatal Shooting Of Carmel Man In Southeast On the day of the incident, Tuesday, Jan…
Immigration Assistance Provider Posed As Attorney, Intimidated Customer In Yonkers: AG Immigration Assistance Provider Posed As Attorney, Intimidated Customer In Yonkers: AG
Immigration Assistance Provider Posed As Attorney, Intimidated Customer In Yonkers: AG A fraudulent immigrant assistance service provider based in Westchester has agreed to pay restitution to several victims whom she misled and even threatened in some cases, officials said.  Jacquelin Mercado, an immigrant assistance service provider based in Yonkers, has entered into an agreement with the Office of the New York Attorney General after she was found to be posing as an attorney and illegally offering legal advice to customers, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Wednesday, Aug. 23.  According to the Attorney General's Office, Mercado's role …
Man Shot Dead By Cop: Full Bodycam Footage Of New Rochelle Incident Released By NY AG Man Shot Dead By Cop: Full Bodycam Footage Of New Rochelle Incident Released By NY AG
Man Shot Dead By Cop: Full Bodycam Footage Of New Rochelle Incident Released By NY AG As the investigation into a Westchester police-involved shooting that left a man dead continues, the New York Attorney General's Office has publicly released the full body camera footage of the incident.  The body-worn camera footage, released by the Attorney General's Office's Office of Special Investigation on Tuesday, July 25, depicts the shooting of 37-year-old New Rochelle resident Jerrel Garris in an incident that happened on Monday, July 3.  Earlier Report - New Update: Man Shot By Cop In New Rochelle Dies, Attorney General Says According to authorities…
Mamaroneck School District Failed To Address Race, Gender Based Bullying: Attorney General Mamaroneck School District Failed To Address Race, Gender Based Bullying: Attorney General
Mamaroneck School District Failed To Address Race, Gender Based Bullying: Attorney General Following an investigation that found a Westchester school district failed to adequately address race- and gender-based bullying and harassment against students, the district has agreed to make the needed changes to improve its response to these incidents, officials said.  The Mamaroneck Union Free School District agreed to make these changes following an investigation conducted by the New York Office of the Attorney General, Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday, July 18.  According to James, the investigation was started in June 2020 following allegations from…
Gun Buyback Program In Kingston Nets 235 Weapons, Including Assault Rifles Gun Buyback Program In Kingston Nets 235 Weapons, Including Assault Rifles
Gun Buyback Program In Kingston Nets 235 Weapons, Including Assault Rifles A recent community gun buyback event netted 235 firearms in one city in the region. The annual Ulster County program -- held Saturday, April 29 in Kingston -- sponsored by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the Kingston Police Department, and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office is the largest gun buyback hosted in the region, the AG's Office said. Including the guns turned in at the Kingston event, James said more than 3,000 guns from across the state were gathered on Saturday.  To date, James has removed more than 7,000 guns from New York communities since taking office in 2019, …
Videos Released In Fatal Shooting Of Man In Wawarsing By Police Videos Released In Fatal Shooting Of Man In Wawarsing By Police
Videos Released In Fatal Shooting Of Man In Wawarsing By Police Video footage has been released as part of an ongoing investigation into the shooting death of a Hudson Valley man by police. New York Attorney General Letitia James released the videos into the death of Daniel McAlpin, age 41, who died on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, following an encounter with members of the New York State Police and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. During the encounter, members of state police and the sheriff's office were dispatched to assist the Ulster County Mobile Mental Health crisis team at a residence located on Clark Road in the town of Wawarsing. Earlier report:…